Kicking Neuroblastoma's Butt

Follow Grandpa John on His multiyear Fund Raising endeavor, a labor of Love for “The Band of Parents.” As quoted from their website:
“We are parents of children diagnosed with a cancer called neuroblastoma who want to help further the research and drug development desperately needed to save more children…Time is running…money stands between them and a cure."
Won’t you please help too? To Donate Please go the links at the bottom of this Page

JOIN THE FUN AND GET A SHAVE - THE KID'S WILL LOVE YA FOR IT

CHILDHOOD CANCER & NEUROBLASTOMA FACTS

Leukemia - Leukemias are the most common childhood cancers. They account for about 33% of all childhood cancers. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) are the most common types of leukemia in children.

Brain and nervous system cancers - Brain and other nervous system cancers are the second most common cancers in children, making up about 21% of childhood cancers.

Neuroblastoma- Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that starts in certain types of nerve cells found in a developing embryo or fetus. This type of cancer occurs in infants and young children. It is most often found during the first year of life. It is rarely found in children older than 10. This tumor can start anywhere but usually occurs in the belly (abdomen) and is noticed as swelling. It can also cause bone pain and fever. It accounts for about 7% of childhood cancers.

Wilms tumor - Wilms tumor is a cancer that starts in one, or rarely, both kidneys. It is most often found in children about 3 years old, and is uncommon in children older than age 6.

Lymphomas - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma (sometimes called Hodgkin disease, Hodgkin's disease, or Hodgkin's lymphoma), are cancers that start in lymph tissues, such as the tonsils, lymph nodes, and thymus.

Rhabdomyosarcoma - Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children.

Retinoblastoma - Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the eye. It is rare, accounting for just under 3% of childhood cancers

Bone cancers - Primary bone cancers (cancers that start in the bones) occur most often in children and adolescents.

Osteosarcoma is uncommon, accounting for almost 3% of all new childhood cancer cases in the United States. It often causes no pain or symptoms until swelling starts, but sometimes there is bone pain that keeps getting worse. .

Ewing sarcoma is a less common primary bone cancer which can cause bone pain. It is mostly found in adolescents. It accounts for a little more than 1% of childhood cancers.

Neuroblastoma:

• Approximately 500 to 1,000 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the United States each year.

• Doctors have known about neuroblastoma for approximately 35 years.

• Neuroblastoma is primarily diagnosed in children ages 14 and under, with most cases in children younger than 5 years.

• The cause of neuroblastoma is unknown, and it is more likely to occur in males than females.

• Neuroblastoma is difficult to diagnose in small children, and its progression is often rapid and painful.

• Neuroblastoma accounts for 8 percent of childhood cancer cases, but is responsible for 15 percent of all childhood cancer deaths.

• One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.

• Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer.

• Each child in the U.S. diagnosed with cancer receives approximately one-sixth of the federal research support allocated to each patient afflicted with AIDS. Yet in 2004, 48 new cases of pediatric AIDS were diagnosed vs. more than 12,000 pediatric cancer cases.

• Although the 5 year survival rate is steadily increasing, one quarter of children will die 5 years from the time of diagnosis

• Cancer accounts for the greatest number of disease deaths of children in the United States and kills more children per year than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, asthma and AIDS combined

Sources: American Cancer Society, Band of Parents, Texas Oncology Group

C.O.L.E.'s FOUNDATION

Caring Openly, Loving Eternally

In need of prayer, please click picture to go to C.O.L.E.'S

Grandpa John's Prayer for His Little Buddies

I hear no voice, I feel no touch,
I see no glory bright;
But yet I know that God is near,
In darkness as in light.
God watches ever by my side,
And hears my whispered prayer:
A God of love for a little child
Both night and day does care --- Anonymous

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

OUR HEROES:See the bottom of the page – today I added the names of our US Air Forces Academy Heroes - those who freely gave their lives for our freedom.I am working to obtain the heroes names from West Point Military Academy and the US Naval Academy. These heroes will forever be listed on this blog site because without the sacrifices they made, we would not have the freedoms we have today. I am proud to be an American and to recognize these most fine men and women is my honor.

Please don’t question the placement of their names.They are listed at the bottom since they are the symbolic bedrock on which we can build a brighter future and continue our work for the cure for all childhood cancer. They represent the hundreds of thousands who paid the ultimate price for our freedom today and for our future. Let’s not waste it –

May this tribute be of some comfort to the families of these heroes - I love them all.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Neuroblastoma is unrelenting in its quest to create New Angels.In the last week far too many Angels gained entry into Heaven and joined the Angelic choir singing sweet songs of praise, unheard by our ears to our Heavenly Father. Solace only comes by knowing that our beloved is at rest, pain free and sitting by the feet of our Creator. May all of creation rejoice for Heaven’s newest residents and raise the cry of those left behind: No more!

The outcry of the all too few, but far too many, seeking a cure falls on the deaf ears of our leadership-you. It seems that you, like others, are fearful to discuss childhood cancer; tackle this curse head-on.I wonder why?We are talking about our children. You cannot hide from them!The ever present faces of our suffering warriors and angels will not go away and I for one will not let them leave my heart. Keeping them in our memory helps serve as the battle cry you must hear - They will be heard! “Hear our cry and ignore us no longer. Help us fight neuroblastoma or any form of childhood cancer by “Funding” at an acceptable level Childhood Cancer research.

So to our elected officials I further ask: How will you write history? What story will your leadership tell? Through your lack of action will we, as a nation, be accused of turning our backs on our most precious children? Maybe it’s because they lack a vote, or there isn’t money to be made by industry in researching a cure for neuroblastoma or childhood cancer? How shameful indeed if this is the case. If no corrective measures are taken to stem the ever rising tide of neuroblastoma, childhood cancer death, I am ashamed to say that history will not be kind to this generation.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Another Angel - Yesterday I learned that another Little Buddy warrior lost the battle to this horrible disease. It saddens my heart, and while we deal with the pain of such great loss, we most assuredly should take comfort in knowing that the angelic choirs singing songs of praise welcomed home Zachary Combs. May we too sing songs of praise with an unending love as we wait impatiently for that glorious day when we shall join him. My most heartfelt condolences, love and prayers are with the family of Zachary Combs

Prayer a Most Wonderful Blessing: During my web travels searching for answers to my many questions, I found a most wonderful website for all with sick ones battling pediatric cancer, or any other illness in need prayer warriors. As all of you have my unending prayers, yet I believe that unlike my favorite cookies, you can never have too much prayer or too many people praying for you. Please check out this most wonderful site – C.O.L.E’.s Foundation and since I believe with my whole heart in the efficacy prayer and its importance to our entire life, the link to the Foundation is above just under Childhood Cancer and Neuroblastoma facts.

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. - Mother Teresa

Till later remember that though we may never meet, YOU are loved by me. I Love You.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Childhood Cancer Facts- This morning after my training run I went back to read of last year’s adventure (From the Border to the Bridge - http://fightingchildhoodcancer.blogspot.com/ ) and noticed that some had made a comment back in Dec 2009, one which I failed to see earlier. The comment was that since I am promoting awareness of Childhood cancer I should put more about the topic in my writings. I thought that links provided would be enough to lead anyone to sources with much more knowledge than I. But, in today’s’ fast paced society maybe the writer is correct. So I am correcting that oversight and will add more info on childhood cancer to our blog site. But it will only be copied from the other web sites I visit. To ensure proper acknowledgement is given, source are identified.

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."Eleanor RooseveltTill Later - Gj

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

New Angels:So much time has passed since I last updated our Angels list that it is almost overwhelming to know that I have so many Little Angels to add. Yet, there is a comfort in knowing that they no longer have to endure the paining and suffering that comes with fighting neuroblastoma, childhood cancer.

Today I know the heavenly hosts welcome Juan Santiago Wall and Erik Ludwinski to the angelic choir. May they forever sing songs of joy that only our creator can hear and we in our hearts wait patiently for a blessed reunion sure to occur.

Assistance Requested to update Angels Honor Roll Memorial: Over the next week or so I will attempt to recover many of my emails over the months past and update our Angels Honor Roll memorial accordingly. However, I fear that many of the notices may be unrecoverable. So I ask for your assistance - would you please send me the names of our angels that I have missed or over looked. "Love can make you do things that you never thought possible"Phil Collins

Date: September 7 & 8, 2010 (tentative)Location: Houghton Lake MI.Length of Event: 36 hours. – How far will ol’ Gj go in 36 hours is anybody’s guess, but I bet it will be farther than a mile…. :)

Over the course of 36 hours I intend to run walk or crawl around Houghton Lake MI and cover as many miles as I possibly can. One lap of the lake is approximately 32 miles – can I make 3 or more laps in that time frame? Who knows? Regardless of distance traveled I will be doing all I can to raise awareness of Childhood cancer neuroblastoma, the entire distance. ….I am figuring on some crazy stunt , but not sure what just yet… and hopefully let’s see if I can do better in the fund raising department this year as opposed to last year.

As most of you know my son made it safely home from Iraq last Sept. However, such is not the case for his group or wind commander 1st Lt. Joseph Helton, USAF. On September 8, 2009 he was KIA while defending and protecting us from those wishing to do harm to the innocents. That is the run is a tribute to the Big warriors too. The big warriors are all of those defending and protect us where ever they may be serving. It is to their honor and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice a memorial – Thank a vet if you cherish your freedom. ..

Men do less than they ought, unless they do all they can.Thomas Carlyle

Monday, September 21, 2009

Dedication: My Family, I am overjoyed to let you know that my son made it safely back stateside from his year's tour of duty in Iraq. Yet, I am very sadden too. Approximately 4 days after he arrived at his duty station my son was informed that his former Wing Commander in Iraq, became an Angel on 8 September, 2009. And like my Warrior Buddies, a true hero indeed.

This weekend I am running my first 50 mile race and in addition to dedicating this race to all of my Little Warriors and Buddies, I am making a special dedication to honor the memory of 1st LT Joseph Helton, USAF. And for my son and for all who serve in the USAF Security Forces, I will carry you and your comrades with me in spirit to honor the memory of all fallen Security Force warriors. All of you have my unending gratitude - God Bless you.

I will provide a more comprehensive update after the race this weekend. Until then I again reitterate my promise to you, my Little Buddies and Families:

"I promise that I shall not stop running till the cure is found. If I should become too old or weak to run, it is then I will ask our Heavenly Father to carry me to the finish line - The Cure Gj

Till later God Bless.

Grandpa John.

PS: Carson Clark: I just have to let you know that you are my hero Little Buddy and this race is especially for you too.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

I’m Back: Wow! It’s been far too long since I provided an update. Truth be told, since the long run I have been somewhat lazy, but now is the time be reenergize and continue of fighting the good fight and running for my Little buddies. Over the course of the next couple of weeks or so I’ll be getting our Angel's Honor Roll- A Forever Dedication updated and updating oterh areas of the Blog as necessary.

NEXT RACE/DEDICATION: What is new on the near horizon? Well I am glad that you asked that question, I am going to be a hippie (again or is it for the first time since I was in the army during that period) that is I am “Running Woodstock;” no not in New York, but right here in Michigan. It will be a far out weekend just choke full of running and wild times (not too wild for ol Gj) and may be just a flash back to the younger days. The race I will run is a 50 miler. Yep, you read rightly. I am going to do the Peace Love 50 Miler, my first. Now mind you there is a 15 hour time limit for this run and should make it. I know 15 hours seems like an awfully long time and the trail is the very difficult 12.5-mile loop of the Potawatomi trail in the Pinckney MI recreation area. But I just ain’t gonna quit till I get the 50 in for my Little Buddies. They will help me thru the difficult areas and times - I will be carrying all of the pictures I had with me on our journey run the entire distance.

Dedication: I dedicate this race to all of my Little Buddies, especially Noah Scott Biorkman who is having a pretty rough go at it right now, and his family and to the memory of all of our Angels. I know I’ll never hit a major league home run Noah, but I do promise you that I will finish this50 Miler for you. My prayers are with all of you.

THE BIG RUN NEXT YEAR – In planning stages...will it be “From the Border to the Bridge Part II???” Who knows? Stay Tuned.

Special Note of Love: Even though most of us have never met and probably never will have the opportunity to do so, I just can’t put into words just how much I love every one of you – I promise I won’t stop running till the cure is found.

Grandpa John

“It is not wise to win a battle for the sake of glory just to lose the war. We will complete the race before us and will not stop till the cure is found” Grandpa John

- West Point Military Academy Heroes - Those who paid for our Freedom with their Lives

About Me

I am just an ol' guy who runs and is running to help find a cure for Neuroblastoma. Oh, I mustn't forget to mention that I am married to the most wonderful lady a man could ever have. My loving and wonderful wife Missus Gj is my best friend and comfort when things go sour as they sometimes do in life.
Also, I can't forget to mention Daniel, our son, who is in service to our great country in the USAF. "Aim High" son, we're proud of you -